The end of August is traditionally deadsville for restaurants; everyone’s out of town, on vacation or just too hot. For intrepid diners, though, this means easier access to reservations and a number of options for special dinners. Here are a few upcoming deals, plus check out our list of other worthy prix-fixes.
• Rittenhouse BYOB Matyson’s weekly tasting menu focuses on lobster from today through Thursday August 20. $45 will get you four courses of crustaceans - ceviched, consommed, smoked and butter-poached - plus dessert. 37 S. 19th St.; (215) 564-2925
• On Tuesday August 18 and Wednesday August 19, MIdtown Village’s modern Indian BYOB Bindi will host “This Little West Indian Piggy,” a pork-centered tasting menu. Four courses for $35; reservations recommended. See the full menu here. 105 S. 13th St.; (215) 922-6061
• Rittenhouse’s Alfa is hosting a cocktail dinner Tuesday, August 25 at 8 p.m. which incorporates ROOT, the root beer-ish spirit invented by local entrepreneur Steve Grasse (who also came up with Sailor Jerry rum and Hendrick’s gin) in both food and cocktail form. For $35 guests receive five ‘mini-courses’ paired with five ROOT-based cocktails. There’s a 10 p.m. to midnight happy hour the same night with $5 ROOT cocktails. See the menu here. Reservations recommended. 1709 Walnut St.; (215) 751-0201
